“Salen!” calls Greeshar, starting forward with his fists balled. It quickly becomes clear what has happened as the rhino brave recognizes one of the biggest mouths among the bison braves. He clasps hands with his companion, teeth gleaming in the firelight, and gives the fallen Uroxin an extra kick of his own (while keeping a fierce eye on the dog).

“You OK? Come on, let's get away from this offal trench,” he tells Salen. Rejoining Whispers and Amara, he asks, “Amara, what next? We can get the extra food, and Salen looks like he could use a poultice.” Peering in vain through Whisper's fringe, he asks, “I would like to hear more about Gagarth's anger, too, if you will tell it, Whispers. Or may I call you 'Sky?' The sky is a nicer vision than a whisper, don't you think?”

Amara can see straight away that Uroxin needs immediate aid to stop him from dying…..


The young Shaman moves back her hair and ties it, wide hazel eyes staring at the injured braves

"Erm, yes Sky…Whispers….My friends…Erm I mean people call me by my full name actually….It's a sort of respect thing, seeing as I'm…erm…A shaman…Shouldn't someone be healing him…The one on the ground…."

She then remembers the question

"Gagarth? He's pissed that his shaman was killed….The one the War Party went after….He'll be blowing stronger tomorrow, so we should leave tonight if possible…Who is that?" and she points at Salen and then bends to pat his dog Blackeye, who stops barking immediately.

"Aww he likes me"

Amara shook her head exasperated as she could see the bully was close to dying. "It is all well and good to be having fights and arguments, but the tribe and clan are weaker for us fighting one another instead of the sable riders or the red moon followers." she knelt down by Uroxin, as the blood poured from his head.

She looked around the place taking some of the hot embers from the fireplace, using them to staunch the bleeding. "I understand why you did it Salen, but next time be more careful. He'll have some scars from this." she looked towards Whispers "I think he's going to be okay, but he could probably use a shaman's hands to recover."

Greeshar looks confused, too many things happening at once. He is distracted from answering Whispers by Amara trying to save Uroxin's life, too surprised that Uroxin is dying to help Salen, and he loses track of the discussion about the winds altogether.

The javelin throw had landed perfectly, and that dumb dog had run off pretty sharply, coward that it was - a cowardly bully, just like it's master. The sprint into the midst of them had been executed perfectly, and Salen put in one of his best punches...

...which was where it started to go wrong. Uroxin - big, ugly, rock-headed idiot that he was - had been swift enough to dodge it, which threw Salen off-balance when he missed. Uroxin's two meatheads had acted swiftly, and in short order Salen was winded, battered, and near-blinded. Best laid plans, huh..?

And then he was on the ground. Fortunately he was able to twist with Uroxin's throw, so that he could twist free as he hit the ground. Salen was on the offensive immediately, enough to keep the two goons at bay, and moments later he had his opportunity: Uroxin was disoriented, and right in front of him, and he seized his moment. He grabbed the bully by the shirt, and he had just enough time to let Uroxin see the cold, winning smile on his face before he laid a killer head butt on him - and Uroxin flopped like a rag doll. Salen had a momentary flash of joy and victory...and then he paused. Shit, have I killed him?!? That wasn't part of the plan.

Vern and Hoof were...well, hoofing off into the distance, their courage gone with their leader's consciousness, which was as Salen had expected. But...what now?

Ah, well here came Greeshar, so maybe he could help. Who was that with him? A shaman? And here came Amara, too - likely they were all brought here by the commotion, which was mostly Blackeye barking his head off. But the dog stopped as soon as ...Whispers?...stroked him. Salen exhaled, relief washing over him.

"I am fine, my friends. And this was not a fight I chose, Amara, but one I needed to enter in order to bring a long-standing feud to an end. No more will I have to waste my time with these lackwits. They will find other purposes for the benefit of both themselves and for the tribe...and if Uroxin reaches for the scar on his head whenever he sees me, so much the better."

Salen waited to see if either Whispers or Amara would heal the fallen brave, for he would not do it himself. When he could see Uroxin was on the path to recovery he turned and led Kohana and Blackeye away.

"Come. Long Grass will be waiting."

In reply to GM (msg # 102):

Looking towards the tent Melock decides that he better not disturb the shamans, Looks like they have started the hunt for Long Grass. He hears a dog barking in the distance and decides to head over and see if its anything to do with his friends, when he is about half way to where he thinks the dog is, it stops, just then 2 shapes come pelting out of the wind blown sand and run straight past him, Hoof and Vern, I wonder what's got in to those 2 idiots, probably gone to find Uroxin for some stupid prank He heads in the direction that they came from and comes across Salen and Greeshar talking, with Amara on the ground tending to someone and a women he doesn't know standing next to them Hi guys what's happened? Oh that's Uroxin, well that explains why his so called friends where running like they had seen Tripanandar himself. Seeing that Amara has Uroxin's healing under control he walks over to Salen and Greeshar, Salen, I'm impressed, he got what he deserved especially as his 2 mates where with him.  Greeshar any news on whether you need us to escort you to the rhino rock lands? It just that Wilds getting a bit worried with the thought of me heading out again, after what happened last time, so she wants to know how long to expect me gone, apparently me telling her half a season wasn't what she wanted to hear

Greeshar clasps hands with Melock. "We have been given permission to go on pilgrimage, Melock. I hope your girl doesn't miss you too much." He tries to give Melock a look and a wink, hoping that the shaman doesn't notice. "And Whispers from the Sky, shaman of Kolat, will be coming with us. Whispers from the Sky," and he turns to the girl, "this is Melock, a member of our band."

Satisfied with the answers given to him by Long Grass's fetch, Fireborn shrugs his shoulders and replies..."I was given no exact time but in order to get to the Finger Holes, they must pass this way. I will not miss them."

After a quick scan of the horizon he asks..."Being Lonmg Grass's fetch, do you possess them same powers as he here in Prax? What about in your world?"

In reply to Greeshar Longhorn (msg # 110):

that's good to hear he keeps his back to Whispers from the Sky, and raises his eyebrows She is! well it will be good to have a shaman with us he turns to face Whispers from the Sky A pleasure to meet you, though now I think I will have to bring back a big gift for Wilds so she doesn't get jealous that I am traveling with 2 pretty ladies. Are we leaving now or in the morning?

Amara grimaced as she finished sealing the wounds. She slapped Uroxins face enough to rouse him to wake, before looking into his eyes seriously "Uroxin, you are stupid and foolish to make jibes at Salen. He is my brother brave and as such, anything you do to him will be revisited on you. Even if Salen cannot do it himself, I and the others in our band will do it for him." she looked back at Salin "Though he seems more than capable of doing the job on his own. You would have died here tonight for your foolishness. Consider that carefully before confronting Salen again. You and your curs would be better suited staying away from us. After all...we turned braves only this season and have already accomplished more than you have." she looked deeply into Uroxin's eyes with some degree of sympathy. "Now be off with you and do not return."

Amara rose from where she'd been tending Uroxins wounds and met with the others. "Whispers, you know that the shaman survived the war party. If you look inside me and converse with my spirit you will see what she knows to be true. This is probably revenge on Gagarths part for him having to protect his shaman, or as a result of the shaman appealing to Gagarth to hinder our clan more. He is a major threat to us all." she looked around the camp to see who Melock was talking about when he was referring to two pretty ladies, frowning in thought as she realised he was talking about her and Whispers. "I think we should wait till tomorrow, after the celebrations, to leave tonight immediately after them would be" she glanced at Whispers from the Sky wondering how much the shaman had overheard her talk with Angelika "inauspicious and rude. I wish to see if I can find someone willing to part with a good javelin or two, just in case. It's tiresome to have to kill every beast my current one sticks in to get it back before I can use it again."

He nods, digesting this information.  "Thank you, Mother, I will think upon this."



Kobal listens with dismay to his father's decision.  He tries to keep the frustration from showing on his face, and resists the urge to clench his fists, hoping his family hasn't noticed.

Dropping the subject, he reverts to just enjoying the feasting with his family.  Later in the evening, he goes out in search of Amara and Greeshar, to see how they have fared with their own elders.

Kobal finds the others without much trouble, they're all standing around a very bruised and battered youth by the name of Uroxin. He's a cousin of Kobal's and looks like he just got head butted by someone.

He's always been fair to Kobal, but Kobal knows of his cousin's reputation as a bully. That said he's still family.

Everyone but Fireborn is there and Salen has just started to lead his Bison away mentioning that Long Grass is waiting.

Uroxin is still groggy and just sits there holding his head, too dazed to move.

"Well whatever you say Amara, though you'll find that the shaman was killed."

She cocks her head as if listening to the now near howling wind

"He'll be back depending on how strong he was….Shamans have a nack of doing that….

Melock….A pleasure to meet you" and she bows her head once more, shyness taking hold and what little assertiveness vanishes as quickly as it came.

Kaonu arrives moments before Kobal and waves to his friends

"Ah Whispers from the Sky it is nice to see you again" and he smiles shyly at the Rhino shamaness.

"So what's the plan, did the Rhino elders give you permission? Why's this idiot on the ground bleeding and did you hear our khan went with the War party?

Salen where are you going?…Oh before I forget I rounded up some spare javelins from the bachelor tents. Tokar was there and I mentioned that we might be heading off to the Rhino Rocklands…I know... I know, we said not to mention it, but he looked so sad and cheered up once he heared how well we had done and that we're off adventuring already. Said he'd keep quiet…Look there's five extra javelins and four darts that they collected off the dead Gagarthi raiders….Got some extra Kumiss too.

Talking of raiders Greeshar, I saw Saqui and he asked whether you had need of him. He was looking rather happy having a laugh with two other Impala slaves belonging to Faran Whiteblade."

Melock will walk over to Uroxin and lean down to whisper in his ear if you decide to have another go at Salen just remember, no matter where you are, the darkness will find you with that he smiles and walks back to the group so are we going to the celebrations or heading off now?

"Why don't we go meet with Long Grass, who likely will have found Fireborn by now, and make our plans for the morrow? We should be able to slip away tomorrow regardless, so better to make sure we are ready when we do leave. I...know the way."

Salen leads Kohana off to the camp perimeter, with Blackeye trotting happily alongside, and hopefully with the rest if the gang in tow.

"I'd still like to wait for my brothers to return, but If we all agree it is important to leave before I am happy…I think I'd like to revel in some attention tonight to be honest…It's alright for you Melock, you've already found someone who loves you, I'm kind of hoping that now I'm initiated I might cut a more dashing figure than I already do…."

Kaonu strikes a pose

"You want an extra javelin or one of the darts Melock?"



"Impetuous isn't he…Typical Condor by all accounts, well so I've heard……Can't hurt to go talk to Fireborn….And why is Long Grass in on this?……Hey wait up!…..Why does he walk so fast?…Salen wait….."

In reply to Kaonu Windspeaker (msg # 120):

looking good Kaonu, I'll pass on the javalins and darts cheers. My sling is easy to find ammo for  he'll follow Salen in to the swirling sand

Fireborn and Long Grass are found on the outskirts of the camp, chewing the fat and telling jokes. By the time the others arrive they've a fire going amongst a stand of Tamarisk Trees and the Fetch has summoned Askuwhetu. The spirit's twig construct can be half seen at the edge of the fire light…

After a discussion about when best to leave, it is agreed that dawn is the most appropriate time for heroes to make their exit. So the majority of the group return to celebrate with their families and bask in the glory of their initiations.

Melock vanishes for a short while, reappearing with that certain smile of his, which widens at seeing poor Kaonu not succeeding with his amorous advances on all and sundry.

There's dancing, singing and perpetual boasting from the bachelors present.

Raven causes mischief, ridiculing his Thunderous brother, who blusters poor Sun Hawk, who in revenge uncloaks Raven for the fool that he is.

Sitting watching all this is Condor, outsider but needed by all, sitting on the edge…. a wry smile on his face….

Too much to drink, with the last good meal for a while in their stomachs, the braves one by one crash out, or find themselves much later staggering without sleep, to the copse of trees, with Bright Treasure promising to rise in the next half hour.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:51, Sat 07 Dec 2013.

Melock's father is fine with his son's departure, and seems generally proud for once. It's been a hard year for the family and having a son turning out to be a mover and grover is certainly something to smile about. That and the fact the chieftain seems to be keen with taking one of his daughters as a wife.

Onwards and upwards.

He gifts Melock with a new bedroll and his mother hands her son a brand new saddle blanket, a motif of black ravens sown on the corners.

Wild Pastures is another matter entirely, she first slaps Melock, then cries, then says how proud she is, slaps him again and then drags him off for a passionate five minutes under his new blanket.

She spends the rest of the night keeping the young brave on his toes, and then before he leaves she bravely helps him dress, hands him his weapons and in a good impersonation of his mother reminds him to not talk to Sable riders, clean his weapons and keep his Kumiss out of the Sun.

Greeshar shrugs at Amara's suggestions. “We planned to meet about dawn, and leave then. No need to change plans, is there?”

At the mention of javelins, Greeshar nods. “I, too, should pick up a javelin or two. They may be of some use, who can say?”

He acknowledges Kaonu and Kobal's arrival, but seems somewhat at a loss for words at the discussion of whether the enemy shaman lives, died or will be resurrected.

“Yes Kaonu, our elders have granted us permission to go on pilgrimage. Again, we are grateful for your generous offer to accompany us. And, Whispers from the Sky, our shaman, has offered to accompany us. Whispers from the Sky, you know Kaonu? And this is Kobal, of course.”

Thinking a moment, Greeshar adds, “Saqui could accompany us. This would be a help in chores and guard duty. If no one objects?”

Greeshar glances at Whispers when Salen suggests joining Fireborn. “Salen, I think I'll go to the celebrations right off. You can update Fireborn, if you don't mind? Whispers from the Sky, do you have preparations to make, or would you like to come celebrate with me?”

In either case, Greeshar tries to keep Whispers from encountering Fireborn. He also enjoys the celebration, with or without Whispers and Amara (as they choose).

The shamaness nods shly and tightens her shawl about her skinny shoulders. "I will come of course, though I must sleep if we are leaving early."

During the celebrations she shadows the burly Rhino rider, never leaving his side and there is an odd moment when Melock's sister Juhoon bounds over to say hello, only to stop as if hitting an invisible wall, backing away and giving Whispers from the Sky a hateful glance.

The shamaness mutters something that sounds like "hussy" but the drumming gets louder and folk begin to sing….And they're pushed this way and that and the moment passes….

Barrak talking, arm draped drunkenly over the brave's shoulder.

Juhoon dancing with Kobal.

Kumiss and pipes.

Whitetail, old enough to be his mother, dragging him up to dance to the cheers of the braves, pressing herself suggestively against him in the darkness.

Playing drums and singing with Kaonu.

Morning memories…..

Greeshar was taken by surprise at Juhoon's expression. 'What's eating her?' he wondered briefly. But they were swept apart, and Greeshar figured she probably just wanted to say something insulting anyway.

'These Bison people,' and he shook his head. 'There's no figuring them out.' He looked at Whispers and smiled. 'Better to be among my own people,' he thought. 'But I wonder how she'll react to the extra leg of our journey. When she finds out we've deceived her, there will probably be shouting. Imagine how Amara would react!' And he couldn't help but chuckle.

Amara smiled, greeting Kaonu and taking one or two of the better javelins he had to offer. It seemed to be something she was good at and having more available would make fights easier. She resolved to tie a streamer to her current javelin, so the others would recognise it as the one which was special and pinned the leaping bears and tripanander. If it made it back from this trip, she resolved to name it.


Amara joined the celebration but only on the outskirts. It didn't matter what they said, she still felt like the outsider. No matter how strong she might end up as a warrior there would be one barrier that she could never overcome. She grimaced as she watched the others drwon themselves in kumiss and dancing with the girls. She resigned herself to listening to stories of how drunk they were tonight, as if it were a competition, and the hangovers would make them believe the world was coming to an end. They had no idea of the devastation they would leave back in the camp over whom danced with whom on this night and would probably not remember the broken hearts they would be leaving behind.

Amara danced, with the groups of women around the fire. She enjoyed herself without drinking much of the kumiss and without the company of a man as she retired for the evening. She went to sleep early, so her brother would not be too embarrassed at his exploits later in the evening.

From the grim faces of the others looking down on his cousin, and what he knows of Uroxin, Kobal can guess what roughly has happened.  He crouches down next to his kin, and says to him, "Come on, you oaf.  You should know better than to mess them.  They are my brothers and sister.  Don't trouble them again."

He pulls the brave up to his feet and sends him on his way, with a firm, but not too hard, kick to the butt.

He turns to the others with a shrug.  "He's my kin.  A fool, but he's still my kin..."  He'd ask them later about what happened.  First, to more important matters.



"I told my family too.  I had too.  My family is important in the clan.  I could not just sneak off without a word.  If I came back alive, my father would kill me!  Plus, Amara and Greeshar had said they were going to tell their elders that we bison braves would be joining them.  I thought it best to get our stories straight."



Kobal throws back his head and laughs, slapping his brother on the shoulder.  "Good to see you've thought of the important things."



"Aye, I'd rather wait too, if we can.  My father said I could go, but I must first wait for the war party to return.  I think it's a good idea to wait.  When the war party comes back, we may learn useful information that may help us look for Long Grass.

"And, tomorrow is the High Holy Day of the Great Khan.  I'd like to join in the clan's celebrations...  He looks at the others, hoping for some sympathy.

"But if you're all decided to leave tomorrow, I'll not abandon you..."



Kobal nods at the shaman soberly.  A strange one, that one.  He's not had much opportunity to talk to her in the past, but a shamaness at her age...



"The more the merrier, I think.  I don't think this will be such an easy task, to find Long Grass, and bring him back."



Kobal pays his respects to the Tamarisk Man.  He has no gift with him at present, but he thanks the spirit again for its help in healing his leg.


This message was last edited by the player at 11:06, Mon 09 Dec 2013.